Quiz Corrections: Set Two

Today, we will take some time to address the strengths and weaknesses of the test corrections we worked on previously.

Before you try to correct your answer, look at the question that you got wrong. Determine what information you need to provide in order to correctly answer the question.

When you write your test correction, you need to figure our what reasoning will explain why the correct answer satisfies the requirements of the question. Include discussion of specific word choices in the question, answer, and text and explain how this evidence proves the right answer is right.

OPTIC Image Analysis Assignment Part 1:

In this assignment, you will practice identifying and describing the image analysis elements addressed in the OPTIC notes we took.
Step 1: Select an ad and place it in the center of the 12x18 card stock I have provided.
Step 2: Provide a general Overview of the ad (what is being advertised, and how) directly above the image.
Step 3: Along both sides of your paper, identify:
Parts of the image,
Text in the ad, and
Interrelationships between different elements.

For each element identified,
a. Describe the distinguishing feature
b. Explain what this element does to add meaning to or develop the message of the image.
Step 4: Directly beneath the image, write a Conclusion statement identifying the thesis presented by the image and/or the story told by the elements to support the advertisement's purpose.

Guidelines for Analyzing Images -- OPTIC Elements

          Authors frequently use photos and video to make claims, bolster their credibility, and appeal to the audience's emotions.  Consequently, it is important to learn to become a critical viewer of these images, just as we must become critical readers of the arguments we see.

          Humans take in a great deal of information from their environment simply by looking around and drawing conclusions from what they see.  This process is so natural and fundamental to human behavior that advertisers, political campaigns, and many others have made a close study of how we assess images around us; they then use this information to carefully craft photos and video that are most likely to appeal to the audience. 

Overview:  Conduct a brief overview of the image.  Things that “jump out” at the reader are there for a purpose.  Graphic artists make sure their layouts draw the viewers’ attention to the most important, appealing, or message-dense elements of the image.

Parts:  What different elements are included in the image?  Break it down.  Everything in the image is there for a purpose. I’m going to give a long list of ideas here to show how detailed your consideration should be. However, some all, or none of these elements might be included in the image you’re considering. Just keep in mind that you’re looking for the details that were included to appeal to the viewer.

If you have an image of people doing something – Who are the people?  Age?  Ethnicity? Dress?

Body Type?  Relationship?  Physical proximity? Facial expression?  Where are they looking? Do they seem to be speaking? Posture?  Position in the image?  

What is the setting?  What are people doing?  What is going on in the background – especially if there are other people?  How many?

What time is it?  Season?  Weather?  Inside or not?  Terrain?  

Is there a product?  How is it portrayed?  Used?  Relationship to people?  Is it symbolic of something else? Active or passive?  Life size or not?

Other objects?  What is their relationship to the idea, argument or product?

In other words, what elements of the image seem significant? Why?

Text:  How much is there?  Does it make claims?  What is its purpose?  What kind of language/diction is used?  Does it use ethos, pathos, logos or all?

Interrelationships:  What are the relationships between the components of the image?  What has priority?  As the eye scans the image, what is seen first, second, third?  Are some things left out?  What are the relationships between the people in the image, and what “story” does this tell?  

Conclusion:  Why is this image appealing to the reader?  What message / thesis is intended?  What is the audience? Where would you expect to see it? What explicit information is intended to get your support?  What implicit information is intended to get your support?

Multiple Choice Test Corrections

If you have incorrect answers on the MC test, you may recover credit for each wrong item by submitting a correction.  

Each correction must clearly, accurately, and fully explain what the correct answer is and what specifically about the question, text, and response makes it the right answer. When I read the answer, I should be able to understand your meaning without referring to the text. 
Here's an example:

#4. The author uses the phrase :On the same ground" (lines 12-13) to set up a comparison between 
(B) conceptually powerful writers and exemplary educators

When we answer this question, we will want to find evidence from the text showing discussion or writers and educators addressed by the phrase on lines 12-13, and then explain how they are being compared.

The author begins by describing  "effective educators" (6) who "bring into activity the feelings and sympathies that must issue in noble action" (11-12), and then "On the same ground" describes "effective writers" (13-14) who "rouse in others the activities that must issue in discovery" (18-19). These descriptions compare the skill effective educators and writers have in fostering the mental conditions that result in discovery, rather than merely feeding information to the reader or student.

Writing / Style Suggestions for College Essay

As you draft your essay, try to make intentional decisions about word choice and sentence structure that support the effectiveness of your argument.

WORD CHOICE:
Maintain formal diction at all times
Avoid vague wording or generalizations
Focus on clear, precise description of abstract concepts such as costs, benefits, values, of decisions
Avoid passive voice ("to be" verbs). Active verbs clarify ideas, provide vital information, and prevent the construction of awkward, wordy sentences.

SENTENCE FLUENCY:
Use a variety of sentence types and lengths.
Proofread carefully for run-ons, comma splices, and sentence fragments
Provide a variety of sentence beginnings
Incorporate syntactic schemes into your writing. Due to the formal nature of this writing, however, you will want to avoid being too poetic or distracting with your use of schemes. Focus on using syntax intentionally to

Annotation Guidelines for "College Essay Drafting Assignment"

These are the guidelines for commenting on the outline assignment in workspace.

How do I comment on my THESIS?

When you write your thesis, explain the values or evidence, or personal perspective that led you to take this position on the issue.

How do I comment on my TOPIC SENTENCES?

Explain why this topic is raised at this point in the argument. You need to have a reason. Develop a rationale -- this reasoning should be apparent in the essay.

How do I comment on my EVIDENCE?

Explain why this evidence was especially effective in supporting the values or communicating the facts about your discussion. You need to have a reason for incorporating this specific information instead of the other information available.  

Writing a Conclusion Paragraph

When you conclude an argumentative or analytical essay, it is important provide an understanding of the meaning of the essay as a whole. Generally, the conclusion needs to do three things:

Revisit the topic and thesis of the essay (but don't just repeat the sentences from the first paragraph)
Summarize the claims you made
Leave the audience with a lasting impression of the relevance or significance. To support this, you might

--incorporate a quotation from the text
---evoke a vivid image
---suggest results or consequences